Digital Wedding Photography Secrets

Digital Wedding Photography Secrets

by Rick Sammon
Released March 2009
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9780470481097

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Book description

Create photos as unforgettable as their day

Wedding photography is a multibillion-dollar business—and it's fun. Rick Sammon, one of Canon's venerable Explorers of Light, has collected more than 200 expert tips and tricks to help you create images as memorable as the wedding itself. Follow them, and you'll become the photographer the bride recommends to all her friends.

Discover tips such as . . .

  • Know your gear inside and out; this isn't the time to test your equipment

  • Know the bride, so you can capture her personality as well as the shots she wants

  • Know the location: scout out the wedding site in advance, look for creative angles, and take test shots

  • Know the players—how many people will be in group shots and the most interesting places to pose them

  • Know Photoshop; it can save less-than-perfect shots and make the best ones better

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Author
    1. Rick Sammon
  3. Credits
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
    1. Sharing Secrets
    2. The Learning Process
    3. Basic People Photography Tips
    4. Place the Subject Off Center
    5. Master Studio-Style Lighting
    6. Watch the Hands
    7. Work Close for an Intimate Portrait
    8. Expose for the Highlights
    9. Envision the End-Result
    10. Make Pictures; Don't Simply Take Pictures
    11. Always Consider Digital Noise and ISO Setting
    12. Use—Don't Overuse—the Disequilibrium Effect
    13. The Camera Looks Both Ways
    14. People Photography Tidbits
    15. Make the Time
  6. 1. Rick's Recipe
    1. 1.1. Know Your Gear
    2. 1.2. See the Light
    3. 1.3. Get to Know the Bride
    4. 1.4. Scout the Location
    5. 1.5. Point and Shoot in the Studio
    6. 1.6. Practice Studio Lighting with a Dummy
    7. 1.7. Cover the Excitement at the Bride's House
    8. 1.8. Don't Miss the Key Ceremony Shots
    9. 1.9. Don't Forget the Details
    10. 1.10. Be Creative with Group Photographs
    11. 1.11. Utilize Nice Natural Backgrounds
    12. 1.12. Shoot from Creative Angles
    13. 1.13. Learn Digital Darkroom Enhancements
  7. 2. Lights, Cameras, Computers ... Action!
    1. 2.1. Digital SLR Choices
    2. 2.2. Popular Zoom Lenses
    3. 2.3. Professional Portrait Lenses
    4. 2.4. Telephoto Zoom Lenses
    5. 2.5. Fish-Eye Lenses
    6. 2.6. Dedicated Flash
    7. 2.7. Tiny Tripod
    8. 2.8. Apollo Speedlite Kits
    9. 2.9. Basic Hot Light and Strobe Light Kits
    10. 2.10. Scrims
    11. 2.11. Portable Backgrounds
    12. 2.12. Diffuser Panels
    13. 2.13. Reflectors
    14. 2.14. My On-Location Light Controller and Tote
    15. 2.15. Home Computer System
    16. 2.16. Portable Computer System
    17. 2.17. Printing Your Own Work
    18. 2.18. Behind-the-Scenes with Diffusers and Reflectors
  8. 3. The Studio Shoot
    1. 3.1. Painting with Light
    2. 3.2. Basic Three-Light System
    3. 3.3. Change the Color of the Background
    4. 3.4. Take Three
    5. 3.5. Begin with the End in Mind
    6. 3.6. Experiment with Creative Poses
    7. 3.7. Behind the Scenes: Painting with Light
    8. 3.8. Behind the Scenes: Three-Light Set-Up
    9. 3.9. Don't Forget the Fun!
  9. 4. Weekend Wedding Photographer
    1. 4.1. Shoot Candid and Formal Photographs
    2. 4.2. When Color is Preferred
    3. 4.3. Envision the Black-and-White Image
    4. 4.4. Shooting Head Shots
    5. 4.5. Get the Three-Quarters Shot
    6. 4.6. Brides Love the Full-Length Shot
    7. 4.7. Get Good Color Indoors
    8. 4.8. Choose the Best Background
    9. 4.9. Blur and Blowout the Background
    10. 4.10. Consider the Bride's Feelings
    11. 4.11. Hang Out
    12. 4.12. Hit the Ground Running
    13. 4.13. Join the Fun
    14. 4.14. Create a Mood
    15. 4.15. Go for Rembrandt Lighting
    16. 4.16. Capture that Beautiful Catch Light
    17. 4.17. Make the Most of Mirrors
    18. 4.18. Photograph What's Important to the Bride
    19. 4.19. Here Doggie Doggie
    20. 4.20. Create an Intimate Portrait
    21. 4.21. The Head-and-Shoulders Shot
    22. 4.22. Getting the Standard Limo Shots
    23. 4.23. Master Fill Flash
    24. 4.24. Direct Flash
    25. 4.25. Respect the Subjects and Situation
    26. 4.26. Capture the Key Shots
    27. 4.27. Tell the Whole Story
    28. 4.28. Look for Creative Angles
    29. 4.29. Don't Overlook the Details
    30. 4.30. Frame Your Subjects
    31. 4.31. Use the Disequilibrium Effect
    32. 4.32. Master the Art of Walking Backward
    33. 4.33. Compress the Brightness Range
    34. 4.34. Separate the Subjects
    35. 4.35. Outdoor Weddings
    36. 4.36. Take Advantage of the Situation
    37. 4.37. Watch and Fix the Background
    38. 4.38. Zoom-Lens Advantage
    39. 4.39. Before the Cake is Cut
    40. 4.40. Combining Techniques
    41. 4.41. Group Shots
    42. 4.42. Getting a Good Flash Exposure
    43. 4.43. Envision the End Result
    44. 4.44. Environmental Portraits
    45. 4.45. Don't Forget the Kids
    46. 4.46. Don't Rush Off
    47. 4.47. Shoot a Sequence
    48. 4.48. Working with Reflectors
    49. 4.49. Using Fill Flash Creatively
    50. 4.50. Take Advantage of Lens Flare
    51. 4.51. Look for Pictures within Pictures
    52. 4.52. What is a Good Exposure?
    53. 4.53. Choose a Creative Background
    54. 4.54. Indoor Fill Flash
    55. 4.55. Fun Group vs. Posed Group Shots
    56. 4.56. Capture Fleeting Moments
    57. 4.57. Creative Side Lighting
    58. 4.58. Create a Private Moment
    59. 4.59. Bend the Rules
    60. 4.60. Shooting at Night
  10. 5. Pros Share Their Shooting Secrets
    1. 5.1. Be Nice
    2. 5.2. Go For It
    3. 5.3. It's All About the Light
    4. 5.4. The Little Things Really Do Matter
    5. 5.5. Make Your Vision a Reality
    6. 5.6. Work Into the Night
    7. 5.7. Master Low-Light Photography
    8. 5.8. Shoot with Your Heart
    9. 5.9. Think Unconventionally
    10. 5.10. Scout the Location
    11. 5.11. Got IR?
    12. 5.12. Go Beyond the Clichés
    13. 5.13. All Together Now
    14. 5.14. Get Cinematic with HDR
    15. 5.15. Follow Your Heart and Have Fun
    16. 5.16. Carve Out Time
  11. 6. The Woman's Touch
    1. 6.1. Be Cool, Calm and Collected
    2. 6.2. Persuade
    3. 6.3. With a Little Help From Friends
    4. 6.4. Blend In
    5. 6.5. Be a Friend
    6. 6.6. Think Creatively
    7. 6.7. Follow Your Instincts
  12. 7. The Creative Touch
    1. 7.1. Anticipate the Moment
    2. 7.2. Focus on the Attendants, Too
    3. 7.3. Set Yourself Free
    4. 7.4. Keep It Fresh
    5. 7.5. Use Natural Light When it Feels Right
    6. 7.6. Eliminate Distractions
    7. 7.7. Bring Your Own Lights
    8. 7.8. Think Outside the Rectangle
    9. 7.9. Make Suggestions
    10. 7.10. Scan the Crowd
    11. 7.11. Work with Reflections
    12. 7.12. Do a Double Check
    13. 7.13. Observe Body Language
  13. 8. Photoshop Must-Know Info
    1. 8.1. Never Work on the Original Image
    2. 8.2. Stop!
    3. 8.3. Learn Camera RAW
    4. 8.4. Understand Image Resolution
    5. 8.5. Love those Layers
    6. 8.6. Save It
    7. 8.7. Think and Work Selectively
    8. 8.8. Get to Know Options
    9. 8.9. Master All the Adjustments
    10. 8.10. Sharpen Last
    11. 8.11. Don't Over Do It
    12. 8.12. Expand Your Horizons with Plug-ins
  14. 9. Photoshop Adjustments and Enhancements
    1. 9.1. RAW Rules
    2. 9.2. Save the Bridal Gown
    3. 9.3. Draw More Attention to the Subject
    4. 9.4. Change the Direction of the Light
    5. 9.5. Don't Overlook Basic Enhancements
    6. 9.6. Blur Reality for An Artistic Image
    7. 9.7. Easy Selective Color Adjustments
    8. 9.8. Save Time! Use the Image Processor
    9. 9.9. Mix It Up
    10. 9.10. Make the Bride Glow ... More
    11. 9.11. Create the Disequilibrium Effect
    12. 9.12. Create Dramatic Shadows in the Studio
    13. 9.13. Soften Skin in an Instant
    14. 9.14. Blur the Background
    15. 9.15. Dress Up your Web Site with Drop Shadows
    16. 9.16. Create a Thank You e-Card Template
    17. 9.17. Create the Best Black-and-White Image Ever
    18. 9.18. Create a Beautiful Vignette
    19. 9.19. Add a Sense of Motion to a Still Image
    20. 9.20. PhotoTools and PhotoFrame Totally Rock
    21. 9.21. Color Efex Pro Plug-In

Product information

  • Title: Digital Wedding Photography Secrets
  • Author(s): Rick Sammon
  • Release date: March 2009
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9780470481097